Portland
Welcome to the City of Roses!
Also known as PDX, Rip City, Stumptown, Beervana, Portlandia, etc., Portland has a rhythm all its own and welcomes newcomers from across the globe. With tree-lined streets, one of the largest urban forests in the country, and a sky that shifts from rain to radiant summer sunshine, the city blends natural beauty with artistic soul. It’s cozy and weird, progressive and peaceful—all at once.
Jordan Gonzalez BA ’21More about JordanWhen I saw the incredible campus and interacted with some of the faculty, choosing Lewis & Clark was a no-brainer.
Lena Essak BA ’24More about LenaEconomics can study gender issues, immigration, poverty, world health, and practically any social, political, or personal issue where people make decisions about their behavior within a larger system.
Elise Bauman BA ’27More about EliseI love how my sociology/anthropology and environmental studies majors complement each other. Understanding how people structure their lives and communities is important when thinking about ways to promote environmentalism.
Brief History
Fun Facts about Portland
- Iconic and visitable filming locations for Twilight (yes, that Twilight). Explore your teenage vampire/werewolf fantasy!
- Animal Outlook ranks Portland #1 for vegan-friendly cities in the U.S.
- Festivals year-round: Jazz at Cathedral Park, Pedalpalooza, Portland Winter Light Festival, and more.
- It boasts major arts institutions: Portland Art Museum, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Center Stage, etc.
- It is home to the second-smallest park in the world and the second-largest copper statue in the U.S. after the Statue of Liberty.
- The “Keep Portland Weird” mural represents the fun, quirky nature of the city, where individuality is celebrated.
Best
Cosmopolitan names Portland among the best cities in the world to live in during your 20s.
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According to Modernist Pizza, Portland’s pies are the best in the land.
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Portland’s Books With Pictures won the 2022 Eisner award for best comic/graphic novel store in the world!
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It’s just a two-hour drive to get to a mountain, beach, or desert.
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Portland has three professional sports teams: the Trail Blazers, the Timbers, and the Thorns (pictured).
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Portland has 315 miles of bike pathways.
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Powell’s Books is the world’s biggest independent bookstore with over 3,500 different sections.
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Portland has 500+ food carts, including multiple cart pods in downtown Portland.
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The free Pioneer Express shuttle travels the six miles to the heart of a city that the NYT calls, “one of our national capitals of cool.”
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Portland is the third most creative city in America, as reported by alumna Lizzy Acker BA ’05 for the Oregonian.
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Portland is the best place to own a dog in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report.
A City that Welcomes You As You Are
- Advocate ranks Portland #4 among the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the U.S.
- It is home to many BIPOC-owned coffee shops, bookstores, and restaurants.
- Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and meditation centers are spread across the city. Lewis & Clark’s Office of Spiritual Life can help you get connected.
The Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement (IME) office does a lot of work to support students of color, first-generation college students, and LGBTQ+ students. Going to IME events introduced me to a lot of friends who I hold dear today. I also find a lot of support in Queer Student Union (QSU)’s QTPOC Group, a group that a friend and I started where queer and trans students of color can gather regularly and just talk about our experiences.
The Afrikan Diaspora Club provides a learning experience through the engagement of different African cultures.
The Great Expectations Mentorship (GEM) program helped establish a support system for myself during my first year.
For International Students
No matter where you’re from, who you are, or where you end up, once you arrive at Lewis & Clark, you’ll be a Portlander for life.
- Easy access (30-minute car ride and an hour and a half bus ride) to Portland International Airport (PDX).
- Easy public transportation (buses, MAX light rail, and streetcars) can get you to and from places.
- Cultural groceries (like Fubonn Supermarket, Mama Pauline’s African Market, halal butchers, and international markets) are spread across the city.
- Multicultural festivals from Lunar New Year, Brazilian Block Party to African Film Festivals.
- Many student organisations and events, both on and off campus, help bridge cultures and build friendships.
Uwella Rubuga BA ’19More about UwellaI found my community on campus through the International Students and Scholars Office, which was honestly a home for us and a way of meeting other international students.
Farjad A. Madataly BA ’25More about FarjadI feel like navigating all the paperwork and legal processes throughout the years would have been impossible for me without the help of our International Office (ISS). They make us feel really supported!
Alister “Jia” Ng BA ’27More about AlisterBeing a Great Expectations Mentee (GEM) has helped me access and connect to caring and resourceful upperclassmen and faculty members, ultimately helping me take my first steps into finding belonging.
Beyond Portland
Curious about what’s beyond home? It’s closer than you think.
- Mount Hood, Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls—all under 90 minutes away.
- The Oregon Coast is less than two hours away by car.
- Seattle is less than 4 hours by train.
- California is just a scenic day trip by train from Portland—ideal for a spontaneous escape.
It may take a while to get used to the rainy days, but we guarantee you’ll love living in Portland!
- HolmesTake a peek inside of this residence hall!
- Izz Lamola BA ’25takes us through a day as an intern with Grow Portland.
Featured News
Serving Up Internships, Pickles Style
Through internships and post-graduate careers, Lewis & Clark students and alumni are helping the Portland Pickles baseball team thrive.